RoadVitals

2010 Lincoln Town Car

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
13
Latest Sep 24, 2024
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Nov 5, 2014
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 13 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2010 Lincoln Town Car, most frequently naming the steering, electrical and interior & seats categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 20 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Steering529.4%
  • Electrical317.6%
  • Interior & seats211.8%
  • Fuel system15.9%
  • Powertrain (other)15.9%
  • Seat belts15.9%
  • Airbags15.9%
  • Visibility15.9%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
14V704000

STEERING:RACK AND PINION:PINION SHAFT

Nov 5, 2014
36,888 units potentially affected
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria, 2005-2011 Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles manufactured March 23, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and 2005-2011 Lincoln Town Car vehicles manufactured March 8, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and on which the upper intermediate shaft was serviced during the course of safety recall 13V-385. The prior repairs may not have been correctly performed.
The risk: Improper servicing of the upper intermediate shaft could cause the shaft to separate, which can then result in a loss of steering control, and increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Ford will notify the owners of vehicles whose repair records reflect that the upper intermediate steering shaft was repaired during the course of the prior recall 13V-385. Dealers will inspect and replace the upper immediate shaft if necessary free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S25.
Ford Motor CompanyManufacturer number 14S25View on NHTSA.gov
13V385000

STEERING

Aug 29, 2013
355,000 units potentially affected
The defect: Ford is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria (including Crown Victoria Police Interceptors), Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. The affected vehicles are currently registered or were originally sold in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Severe corrosion can seize the lower intermediate shaft which may cause the upper intermediate shaft to collapse and the steering column lower bearing to separate.
The risk: If the lower bearing separates, the vehicle may experience a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Ford will notify owners and dealers will replace the lower intermediate shaft, free of charge. The upper intermediate shaft and steering column lower bearing will be inspected to identify any damage that may have occurred as a result of lower intermediate shaft corrosion, and repaired or replaced as necessary. If the steering column lower bearing has separated, a retainer clip will be installed. The recall began on October 23, 2013. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13S08.
Ford Motor CompanyManufacturer number 13S08View on NHTSA.gov
10V638000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

Dec 9, 2010
161 units potentially affected
The defect: EXECUTIVE COACH IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINES. THE FUEL RAIL SHIELD WAS LEFT OFF DURING MANUFACTURING. IN A FRONTAL IMPACT THE ENGINE COULD POTENTIALLY BEND OR RUPTURE FUEL LINES IF THE REPLACEMENT SHIELD IS NOT IN PLACE, CAUSING THOSE LINES TO LEAK FUEL.
The risk: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: EXECUTIVE COACH WILL SUPPLY KITS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS TO HAVE VEHICLES REPAIRED AT A FACILITY OF THE OWNER'S CHOICE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 1, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT EXECUTIVE COACH AT 888-322-9272.
EXECUTIVE COACH BUILDERSManufacturer number FR5010View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 13
Steering
Filed Sep 24, 2024

The contact owns a 2010 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became difficult to control. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the driveshaft had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

NHTSA ID
11616187
Incident
Sep 24, 2024
Mileage
180,000 mi
ElectricalInterior & seatsVisibility
Filed Mar 31, 2023
Fire reported

Electrical; fill gas tank. Minutes later gauge shows I'm empty. Continues to repeat over and over. Driver's seat; crackling sound "like metal broke" seat does not adjust correctly and can no longer move the seats tilt. Having me drive in an uncomfortable position. Wipers; rainy day both motors left and right smoke up and burn out at the same time. Can no longer drive vehicle when it rains. Can't see anything wipers motors fried. As if they were allergic to water.

NHTSA ID
11514717
Incident
Mar 7, 2023
Powertrain (other)Steering
Filed Aug 29, 2022

The contact owns a 2010 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated while driving at 30 MPH and steering the steering wheel, the steering wheel was resistant and was emitting abnormal metallic sounds, and the accelerator pedal was making clicking sounds. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving. However, the failure reoccurred increasingly. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that there was a plastic component of the driveshaft that had slipped and had bond to the accelerator pedal, which caused it to click. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V38500 (Steering) and NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V704000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.

NHTSA ID
11481797
Incident
Aug 15, 2022
Mileage
94,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed May 13, 2018

3 SUA - SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ACCIDENTS. 1 IN 2016 IN TOWN, 2ND ON FEB. 9, 2018 ON I-10 FOR AN ACCIDENT AHEAD, AND 3 ON MAR. 4, 2018 ON A RURAL HIGHWAY. ALL THREE WERE ABOUT 10 MPH WHEN SLOWING DOWN FOR A STOP. THE CAR THEN WENT FULL ACCELERATION AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE CAR.

NHTSA ID
11093516
Incident
Mar 4, 2018
Mileage
88,000 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 8, 2017

POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAD 39,000 MILES. POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON ROADWAY MAKING IT VERY HARD TO STEER AND CONTROL. HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER WHO REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP AND STATED THAT THIS WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR THIS YEAR MODEL

NHTSA ID
11013810
Incident
Jul 13, 2017
Mileage
39,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 11, 2017

MY AIRBAG ICON LIGHTS UP MOST OF THE TIME THAT IAM DRIVING THE FORD DEALERSHIP SAYS IT MEANS THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX IT I TOLD THE MANAGER WHY IS THAT ON ME ITS NOT APART THAT I WORE OUT BY DRIVING THE CAR HE SAID WHY ISNT ON YOU

NHTSA ID
11004675
Incident
Jan 1, 2016
Mileage
110,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 6, 2017

WHEN I OPENED THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR, THE INTERIOR HANDLE STUCK OUT WHEN I PULLED IT AND REMAINED SO. I COULD ONT OPEN THE DOOR. HE DEALER PUT A BOLT IN IT TO FIX IT BUT THEN IT CRACKED AROUND THE BOLT AND I HAD TO REPLACE THE DOOR PANEL. TWO YEARS LATER (5/6/2017), THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR DID THE SAME THING. HANDLE STUCK IN UP POSITION AND COULD NOT OPEN THE DOOR. AM SEARCHING FOR A REPLACEMENT BECAUSE TOWN CAR IS DISCONTINUED AND LINCOLN SAID THEY CANNOT HELP ME. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS EXACT ISSUE IS A RECALL FOR THE NAVIGATOR BUT NOT TOWN CAR. BEING UNABLE TO OPEN A DOOR IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND APPARENTLY A KNOWN ISSUE BY LINCOLN. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER (LINCOLN MARGATE FLORIDA) THAT OTHER CUSTOMERS HAD TO BUY REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR THIS ISSUE

NHTSA ID
10983845
Incident
Jul 1, 2015
Mileage
80,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Feb 22, 2016

THE FUEL PUMP/SENDING UNIT THAT IS IN THE FRONT OF THE TANK LEAKS FUEL WHERE THE WIRES GO INTO THE UNIT. THIS IS NOT CONTRIBUTED A GASKET BETWEEN THE FUEL PUMP UNIT AND THE TANK. REPEAT..IT LEAKS THRU THE WIRES IN THE FUEL PUMP/SENDING UNIT. WE HAVE GROUNDED THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. WE HAVE A FLEET OF 6 LINCOLN TOWN CARS. ON OCTOBER 22 OF 2015 WE REPLACED ONE ON ANOTHER LINCOLN TOWN CAR VIN [XXX] THRU A SHOP WHEN I NOTICED A PUDDLE OF GASOLINE UNDER THE TANK WHILE IT WAS STATIONARY AND PARKED IN OUR PARKING GARAGE AND CRAWLED UNDER TO INSPECT THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK...THAT WAS COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT ANYONE TO BURN UP BECAUSE OF IT, WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THAT I AM NOW REPORTING. I HOPE SOMEONE WILL CONTACT ME BEFORE I HAVE IT REPAIRED TO GET IT ON THE ROAD. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *TR

NHTSA ID
10837579
Incident
Feb 22, 2016
Mileage
319,061 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SSM 54601

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY

Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool or from the label printed on the body control module (BCM). The Factory Keyless Entry Code application within the diagnostic scan tool will not provide an applicable master code for the accessory wireless keypad. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is not available, the "Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide" can be referenced and provides direction on how to retrieve the master code. This guide is located under the Workshop Manual tab > Accessories > Installation > Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide > PPT C > Step C2.<br /><br /> Note: The only available keypad for some vehicles from the assembly plant is the accessory wireless keyless entry keypad. The integrated wired keypad cannot be installed on vehicles not equipped from the factory with a wired keyless entry k

SSM 52476

EQUIPMENT

All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code. If the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicles owner during initial delivery. Unlike the integrated (wired) factory keypad, the accessory keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is lost, follow these steps to recover the code. Dealer Key Code access is granted through the Dealer Program Enrollment System (DPES); dealership management can authorize users. The authorized user must go to FMCDealer.com > Parts and Service > Parts Product Line Information > Keys/Entry Devices > Aftermarket Keyless Entry Keypad Code Access. Follow the instructions on the screen to obtain the master code for the accessory keypad.

DOR-L2Q6V-10

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE

This SKU is a Radiator Fan. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect the electrical connections. An electrical connection issue may lead to the fan not working potentially throwing a check engine light for overheating.

SSM 48130

VISIBILITY; VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

Some 2010-2020 vehicles may exhibit distorted glass with a subtle orange peel pattern or streaking etched into the surface. This is caused by hydrofluoric acid which is used in some car wash solutions as a cleaning agent. Hydrofluoric acid can attack the glass and cause visual distortion and/or discoloration on the outer surface which cannot be removed by further cleaning. If this type of distortion is found, inspect the area of the glass that is covered by the cowl and/or molding. The portion of glass that is covered by the cowl or molding will not be affected by the acid. Hydrofluoric acid damage is not a defect in material or workmanship and is not a warrantable condition.

SSM 47976

POWER TRAIN

On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission it is imperative that the converter pilot hub be greased with Motorcraft Multi-Purpose Grease Spray XL-5-A even if grease was not applied from the factory. Also verify that the engine/transmission alignment dowel pins are present as well as the engine crankshaft dowel pin, if equipped, when installing the transmission. Failure to adequately lubricate the converter hub greatly increases the likelihood of the flexplate cracking in the future. Missing dowels may cause a misalignment issue also resulting in a premature failure. Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 307-01.

SSM 47201

EQUIPMENT

Replacing the original equipment SYNC/Navigation system with either an aftermarket SYNC/Navigation kit or modifying original SYNC/Navigation parts to provide additional features is not recommended nor supported on any Ford, Mercury or Lincoln vehicle. Only approved Genuine Ford accessories or originally installed systems are supported and certified to function correctly with other vehicle systems. If you suspect a system has been modified, the following resources can be used to verify original equipment: Monroney Label (Window Sticker), Professional Technician Society (PTS) OASIS tab  select SYNC or HVBOM. For Genuine Ford accessories use: PTS Workshop Tab  select Dealer Installed Accessory or Accessory Installation.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Lincoln Town Car by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2013000—
2011630—
2010Viewing133045.8
2009530—
2008203057.1
2007843160.0
20061432047.8
20051193052.7
2004830151.8
20032011448.6
2002651360.7
20011616666.7
20001089464.8
19991486464.7
19981548560.5
19973148759.6
199625910661.3
19951659665.1
19941555468.0
19931764773.8
19922494774.5
19911555162.8
19902094271.3
1989895065.8
1988995271.8
1987326065.8
1986504170.7
1985211263.3
1984151161.6
1983431—
1982201—
1981101—
1980101—
1978100—
1977100—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.